Venue:
The Institute Birmingham
Date: 21/03/2023
DCFC have kind of crept up on me over the last twenty years – as a band who are massive in the States but with a much lower profile in the UK can. After liking a few tracks, then acknowledging the fact that Transatlanticism is a great album, struggling with the ‘are they just the American Coldplay?’ thesis, here I am at the Institute on a Tuesday night. Their songs likewise, are unlikely to blow you away on first listen, but over time they creep into your subconscious.
Stage right is stocky bearded bassist Nick Harmer, stage left recent arrival guitarist Dave Depper and Jason McGerr on second beard and drums. Touring keyboardist Zac Rae is set well back. Because this is really the Ben Gibbard show. He writes the songs (mostly), he sings the songs and he plays the frontman in a passionate and engaging manner.
They have a new album to tour and there’s a healthy slug of songs from Asphalt Meadows – Rand McNally, Roman Candles, here to Forever (probably the best track and simply stunning live) and I Miss Strangers – scattered over the first half of the set. » Continue Reading.